Page 23 - Salamander December 2020

TRADE NEWS
and creating an an overarching competence
framework standard for all trades and professions setting out benchmark competence
requirements including relevant core skills knowledge experience and behaviours In the meantime BSI will establish a a a group to advise on on the creation of of a a a a a suite of of national standards that will set out common principles for competence
requirements and provide a a a framework for the three critical roles of Principal Designer Principal Contractor and Building Safety Manager These standards will be developed to provide consistency across independent assessment and third-party accreditation schemes A new industry-led committee will also be established to oversee the longer-term development of the competence
frameworks
The Government is also working with the Architects Registration Board to assess how architects maintain and enhance their competence
throughout their careers The Building Safety Regulator will also have oversight of the competence
and performance of of building control professionals The Government intends to create a a unified professional structure for both local authority staff and Approved Inspectors maintaining competence
throughout an individual’s career This new structure aims to allow greater collaboration and knowledge- sharing and help address entry hurdles and retention issues
to increase capacity Enforcement The Building Safety Regulator will have powers to intervene from providing informal advice to issuing
‘improvement’ ‘compliance’ or ‘stop’ notices the breaching of which will be a a criminal offence The regulator will also be able to to review or revoke the Building Registration Certificate and where appropriate to prosecute duty holders and/
or the Accountable Person The sanctions would be designed to reflect the degree to which safety has been compromised and the need to deter non-compliance The new regulatory framework is designed to supplement existing requirements on multi-occupied residential buildings under the Fire Safety Order and the Housing Act 2004 Where a building is mixed use the Government will introduce duties to cooperate between the Responsible Person(s) under the the Fire Safety Order and the the Accountable Person(s) under the new regime The Fire Safety Bill – introduced in in parliament on 19 March 2020
– is designed to emphasise that under the Fire Safety Order building owners and managers of all multi- occupied residential buildings must assess the risks from external walls (including cladding and balconies) and front entrance doors Following a a a consultation an update to Approved Document B will include measures requiring sprinkler systems and introducing the provision of wayfinding signage in all new high-rise flats over 11 metres tall A full technical review of Approved Document B will also take place The Government recognises that fire and structural safety issues
can be exacerbated by poor procurement including poorly designed tender specifications and processes last-minute contractor appointments lack of appropriate engagement with the supply chain and contract forms which prioritise low-cost solutions at the expense of building safety The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government will build on work already undertaken to develop practical guidance for the implementation of collaborative procurement methods for the procurement of buildings in in scope This work is is overseen by a Procurement Advisory Group comprising procurement experts from industry professional associations government and the legal profession The Government’s proposals for a a a new building safety regulatory system represent a a considerable tightening of regulation through the lifetime of buildings in in scope and may also have a a a a ripple effect on the the safety of other buildings But it remains to be seen how legislation for the new regime will be drafted and subsequently implemented and whether it will clarify the the responsibilities of everyone concerned with the design construction management and occupation of high-rise residential buildings Ron Alalouff writing for IFSEC Global www IFSECglobal com Ron Alalouff Freelance Reporter
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